Board of directors

Apple's no-win CEO succession efforts

If Apple board members aren't actively working on CEO succession, it's a problem. But if they are working on succession without the board's authorization, that's a problem too. By Eleanor Bloxham

Why corporate directors should thank Dodd and Frank

The results of the year's corporate board elections show that the consequences of financial reform legislation can actually go in favor of corporations. By Eleanor Bloxham

When companies ignore the risks under their noses

More companies are building elaborate risk management plans, but they are failing to heed warnings from their own employees and shareholders. Directors at Community Health Systems just might pay for it with their board seats. By Eleanor Bloxham

Can shareholders and management make it together?

Like the farmer and the cowboy, shareholders and management can be friends too -- maybe not close friends. Signs of newfound respect are percolating between the two, often quarrelsome, parties.

By Eleanor Bloxham, contributor

Informal polls of corporate board directors find that about 5% view the proxy as a marketing tool for the board and the company. But that may be changing.

As proxy season gets underway, some early, behind the scenes discussions MORE

How can more women land spots on company boards?

A dearth of women in top executive positions has contributed to the lack of women on corporate boards. But new pathways to the boardroom are opening.

By Stephenie Overman, contributor

It's a vicious cycle. A dearth of women in top executive positions has contributed to a lack of women on corporate boards.

Women make up an estimated 47% of the American workforce (as of 2009), but they accounted for just over 14% of MORE

Lessons from the St. Joe board resignation debacle

As discussions between fund manager Bruce Berkowitz and St. Joe progress, shareholders will need to take a close look at any board election slate to ensure that sustainable, positive change takes place at the beleaguered company.

By Eleanor Bloxham, contributor

Boards often move at a glacial pace. The pace, that is, at which glaciers moved before global warming. And sometimes that slow pace can get them in trouble. But is six weeks MORE

Should more CEOs be fired?

New research suggests that more CEOs would be shown the door if not for their personal ties with their boards, suggesting that it's time to rethink hiring and firing practices and the CEO's role at public companies.

By Eleanor Bloxham, contributor

Boards of directors are facing increasing pressure to fire CEOs rather than allow them to linger. But what about the pressure boards feel to keep their CEOs in place?

A recently published MORE

Do disclosure rules actually work?

Disclosure failed during the run up to the financial crisis. As a result, the SEC developed new disclosure requirements for U.S. companies this year. So how well have they worked?

By Eleanor Bloxham, contributor

Disclosure is the often sought remedy in regulation. Rather than specify what a company is required to do, disclosure itself is often used as the regulatory mechanism.

The idea behind requiring disclosure from companies, rather than coming up with MORE

Who is minding the J.Crew store?

At J.Crew, CEO and Chairman Millard Drexler waited seven weeks to inform the board of his discussions to sell the company, exposing the often-overlooked issue that many corporate boards do not enforce internal transparency.

By Eleanor Bloxham, contributor

If you run a division, how long do you think you could wait to tell your bosses you were in talks to sell your division to another company and still hold your job?  Would MORE